2005 Land Rover Freelander: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Hard shift 1st and 2nd gears and major power loss cannot exceed 35mph dudley while driving in the city it wouldn't excel”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2019
“We bought a vehicle from justin harris. The ad on craigslist list didnt mention anything abt the engine it only said it needed a battery & the key programmed. Come to find out the engine was completely seized. He has our money & the car. He refuses to return any calls or text messages.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2018
“I purchased my car in 2011 from a county auction. I've spent almost $8,000 on engine and electrical issues since I've bought it. Had a new timing belt, spark plugs and ignition coils installed on 02/02/2015, but now my car stalls and I have great difficulty picking up speed, even when driving on the street. If I stop at a stop sign, I literally have to push the gas to the floor to get my car to take off and even then, it takes forever. The highest speed my car will go to now is 30mph. My driveway is at a slope and I had to press down on the gas to get me car to reverse out the driveway. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 land rover freelander. The contact stated that coolant leaked into the engine, causing the engine to fail. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who inspected the vehicle and stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2011
“Check engine light comes on, defective thermostat, cracked engine hoses, cracked manifold, coolant leaking into engine due to slipped sleeve - this causes car to randomly go from driving fine to not being able to accelerate. Additionally, wipers go on when they are not turned on, window controls do not work. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2011
“2005 land rover (free lander): shifting rears from drive (d) to reverse (r) resulted in broken gear linkage cable on one occasion. The suv became totally immovable and unsafe (locked in park mode) in the middle of the street. Vehicle had to be towed on flatbed to dealer after two tow truck drivers (mechanics) manuvered the vehicle to a safe position. Dealer replaced with new gear selector with cable . Cost $1019.23. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2011
“Engine needed to be replaced only within about 2 weeks of purchasing vehicle, approximate 5,000 miles later the engine begins to fault again and I was told that it could be because antifreeze was leaking into my engine or one of my head gaskets blew again, not to mention the cooling system failed again and I needed a new o-ring already. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2010
“Head gasket failure 55,000 miles blown engine. In repair over 23 x's landrover acknowledged engine was loosing anti freeze, but couldn't find where. Caused my son to throw up everytime he was driven in the car. Caused severe headaches in all who drove for an extended period of time. This is a very expensive repair needs a new engine. A very common problem. Why hasn't this been recalled yet?? This is very distressing to have a car four yrs and a blown engine. Very sad and disturbing to a family during a recession!!! Car engines shouldn't fail at 55,000 and can't be driven because they make a family sick! *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 land rover freelander. While driving approximately 60 mph, the temperature gauge reduced to its lowest reading. The engine began to overheat and suddenly the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The failures occurred intermittently. The engine stalled; however, the vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the failure was contributed to a blown head gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle exceeded five miles of the service warranty agreement. The failure and current mileages were 50,500.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2009
“I bought 2005 landrover freelander january 27th, 2006 with 3770 mileage and about a week later, car was overheated and steam came out from the engine. Dealer service center said cooling fan was not working, so they changed it,and everything will be ok, but yesterday midnight, car got overheated again current mileage is only 5400. I got stuck on the freeway with steamy engine. Service center said they will fix it, but I can not feel secured to drive that car. I complained that and try to get refund since it has been only 3 months, but they said they can give me 5000 lower price than the purchase price. What can I do? I cannot get a full refund? *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2006
Recalls - 3 campaigns
ON CERTAIN FIVE DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LEVER IS IN THE "ON" POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DEFLECTOR PANEL CONTAINED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BUILT TO SPECIFICATION.
Remedy: DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES IN ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. HILL DESCENT CONTROL (HDC), TRACTION CONTROL (TC) AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS MAY ALSO BE ILLUMINATED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP OPERATION AND WHERE REQUIRED, ADJUST AND/OR REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES WITH NEW SWITCHES OF THE SAME DESIGN UNTIL A NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LAMP SWITCH IS AVAILABLE IN MAY 2007. OWNERS WILL THEN BE RE-NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. AN INTERIM LETTER FOR THE INITIAL INSPECTION WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 2007. THE SECOND LETTER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCHES WAS MAILED BEGINNING JULY 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-80-637-6837.
How other years compare
Check your exact Freelander by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2005 Land Rover Freelander reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Land Rover Freelander. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2005 Land Rover Freelander have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.